Gibson Lion Zwelakhe, a resident of Khutsong Extension 5, appeared in the Carletonville Regional Court in front of Magistrate Thelma Simpson on Monday. He had previously pleaded guilty to the murder and robbery charges against him.
Zwelakhe was sentenced to life on the murder charge and another 15 years on the robbery charge.
During the court sitting, Newberry’s son-in-law, Mr Tienus Barnard, was also given a chance to tell the court how her family is handling the murder.
“I forgive you because that is what I learnt in the Bible. What you did is not right and I hope you go on your knees to ask the Lord’s forgiveness for what you have done. Our family are not light switches that can just be switched on and off and can thus not just forget what happened. We are going through a very difficult time,” he said.
Barnard also told the court that his mother-in-law knew her mur- derer for seven years. He also worked for other senior citizens and everyone trusted him.
“My mother-in-law sometimes drove him home and took him food and clothes,” Barnard said.
Zwelakhe claimed in court that Newberry had given him the Chevrolet Spark. The police found the vehicle in the yard of one of his neighbours after the murder. The magistrate rejected this claim.
The magistrate praised the police for their thorough handling of the case. She also noted that Zwelakhe pleading guilty to the charges against him should not lighten his sentence. She said the case against him was so strong that he did not have a choice but to do so.
“I am happy with the sentence and believe that justice has been served,” says the investigating officer, Sgt Jacques Nagel.
Newberry’s body was dis- covered on the gravel road on the corner of Geldenhuys and Rautenbach Street on 22 May 2018. Nagel and other members of the SVC (Serious and Violent Crimes) unit and the police in Carleton- ville’s Tracing team, sergeant Wynand Kruger and constables Michael Dire Ramasimong, Stephen Kharejane and Samuel Mosieleng, found her car and recovered some of her posses- sions the next day.
Zwelakhe was also arrested the day after Newberry gave him a lift and he murdered her. He assaulted her with a hammer from behind while she was driving. When she jumped out of her car, he came after her and continued his attack.
During the sentencing, the magistrate said such violence against women would not be tolerated in our area.